Command: pfile

Syntax

{<entity> = } pfile <file> {,<file> ... }

Description

Create a polyline graphic entity from file point data.

Parameters

• <entity>
  An entity or gstructure identifier. The lines entity will be given this name.

• <file>
  A text data file containing a stream of points, in the form of 3-D coordinates separated by commas or white-space. Multiple input files are permitted.

Switches

• -alph=<num>
  An alpha transparency factor between 0 and 1. A value 1 implies fully opaque, 0 means fully transparent (therefore invisible). The default is 1.

• -br=<num>
  A brightness factor between -1 and +1. A value 0 means normal, -1 means very dark (black), +1 means very bright (white). The default is 1.

• -ch=<channel>
  Get the point data from a text file channel already open for read.

• -col=<color>
  The color of the lines. If included, this will override any color defined in the linestyle (-ls). If omitted, the value no_change is used.

• -fr=<num>
  Define a fragment number for the entity. If omitted the default fragment def_fragment is used.

• -g=<groups>
  The graphic groups of which the entity is to be a member.

• -ls=<linestyle | color>
  The linestyle of the lines. This can be a linestyle or a color. If omitted, the current modeling color (def_color) is used.

• -n=<num>
  Read a limited number of points only. If this switch is omitted, reading points will continue until end-of-file or invalid syntax is encountered.

• -op=<ident>
  A point identifier into which the points are to be recorded. This option is not available when an entity is being created. If <ident> does not exist a new point array is created using current scope rules.

• -ra=<num>
  Define a rank for the entity. If omitted, the default rank def_rank is used.

• -th=<num>
  The thickness of the lines. If included, this will override any thickness defined in the linestyle (-ls).

Notes

If the command has the form <entity> = pfile, an entity is always created.

If the command has no entity assignment, then an entity will be created only if the -op option is not used, or if the command is not within another entity creation block, e.g. lines, polygon.

When reading from a channel, reads will continue until invalid syntax is encountered, in which case the channel is then positioned so that the next read on the channel will re-read the offending line.

The number of points read is recorded in the system numeric identifier found.

Point data may be in one of the following formats:

• x y

• (x y)

• (x,y)

• x y z

• (x y z)

• (x,y,z)

Examples

Create an unnamed polyline entity.

pfile points.dat

Create a named polyline entity.

entity my_lines = pfile points.dat

Create a point array from file data.

point myps[] ;# Create an array to receive the values
pfile points.dat,-op=myps

See Also